Our Board
Healing Well Farms is guided by a board that brings together decades of expertise in behavioral health and clinical counseling, addiction recovery and correctional healthcare, trauma-informed social work, farm operations and construction, business and financial management, and real estate, alongside firsthand experience supporting individuals with special needs and those in recovery. United by this depth of professional knowledge and lived commitment to service, the board guides Healing Well Farms' mission to help men and women heal from trauma and emotional pain through therapy, community, and connection, empowering them to experience lasting freedom and live full, purposeful lives.
Melissa Mey, LCSW-C, CCTP, CCTS-A
Founder
I obtained my Bachelor's at UMBC and graduated in 2010 from NYU with my Master's in Social Work. I have worked in the field since then and have experience working with many populations in various settings such as foster care in Baltimore County, the elderly in an adult day center, the psychiatrically ill at Spring Grove, and the private sector in an outpatient clinic. I began working at the Harford County Detention Center in 2018 as the Director of the Substance Abuse Unit.
Out of all the jobs I have had, I have never enjoyed my work so much as when I came to the detention center. I have such a passion for working with this population. Much of my passion comes from the infinite hope I have when working with individuals who are incarcerated and who have struggled with addiction. That hope comes from watching my father get sober and become a PhD and from all the individuals I got a chance to work with over the years who are now clean and sober and thriving. This is my calling. I live in Harford County with my wonderful husband, JC, our two golden retrievers, Matthew and Matthew Jr (father and son ;) ), and our two cats Mittens and Nala.
Melanie Shanty
Executive Director
I am married to my wonderful husband of 42 years and have three children. We are also lucky to have 3 beautiful grandchildren. Whenever we are not home, you will find us on the beach at Assateague Island on Maryland's Eastern Shore. I am a co-author with my husband Dr. Frank Shanty on a book about my older sister, Susan. Susan lived her life and successfully treated her severe mental illness. Once my mother died, I stepped in to be Susan's advocate and we developed an even closer relationship. This is her story. The book, titled Shatterdays, talks about the effect Susan's bi-polar illness had on her life and recovery. Susan was courageous, gentle and loved her family. I am a volunteer with the Harford County CASA; Court Appointed Special Advocate program. This wonderful organization's volunteers represent children and young people who are in the Court system due to neglect and abuse. I attend court hearings and advocate on behalf of the child. I am on the Board of Directors of the Harford Belair Community Mental Health System. This organization provides local mental health services such as outpatient mental health treatment, mobile treatment teams, day programs, family programs, and residential opportunities. I am a retired financial planner with Sequoia Financial Advisors. I joined Lincoln National in 1990 in a practice founded by my mother, Patricia H. Roberts. During this time, I successfully completed the educational requirements for the Certified Financial Planner designation through the College for Financial Planning and obtained the designation of Certified Retirement Planning Counselor CRPC®. I am also a recovering alcoholic and drug user for 42 years sober. I am a registered financial planner in Maryland and holds her Series 6, Series 7, and Series 63 FINRA securities licenses.
Mac Caldwell
Vice President
Having been a small business owner for over 40 years, I have extensive experience in the areas of home remodeling, renovation, and new home construction. I have worked vocationally as a Director of Youth Ministry, REALTOR®, Project Manager, and Business Manager. My most recent employment was with Valor Ministries as a personal development coach serving the under-resourced population in Washington County, Maryland. I currently own a Business, Financial, and Life Coaching practice.
I’m active in my community and have coordinated many outreach and community projects through my business network groups and as a mission and outreach director through my church. I am married to my wife of 47 years, Reverend Cindy Caldwell. We have three children: Reverend Jacob Caldwell and his wife, Diana; Jennifer Caldwell and her wife, Jaimie; and Allison Caldwell and her spouse, Frankie. We enjoy four grandchildren: Hannah, Lydia, Micah, and Ava. I am an avid trap shooter and woodworker, and we enjoy RV traveling with our two dogs, Jaxon and Kaia.
Bonnie Anderson
Secretary
I have been married for 41 years to my husband, Gary. I worked as an office assistant at a radiation oncology center for 17 years and currently, I work as a para-educator at Harford Academy (formerly John Archer School) for special needs children ages birth to 21 years old. I consider myself a caregiver and love animals. My faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is paramount and a driving force in my daily life.
JC Mey
Co-Founder
Johannes C. Mey brings over two decades of experience in the construction industry, along with a lifelong connection to farming. At 36, I combine my deep understanding of building practices and local codes with the passion and knowledge I developed working on my father's livestock farm as a child. As the eldest son, I was actively involved in all aspects of farm life—from animal care and maintenance to safety and financial decision-making. Farming runs in my blood. My early hands-on experience with livestock and farm operations shaped my values around hard work, responsibility, and leadership. I am also a skilled dog trainer and have extensive knowledge of livestock behavior. These skills are key to my vision for Healing Well Farms—a place where animals thrive, and people heal. I am a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, and I credit my military training for instilling the discipline and leadership qualities that now guide my work. With a mission to build a working farm that also serves as a place of rehabilitation and support for those in need, I am building Healing Well Farms to be more than a farm—it’s a place of restoration, growth, and community.
Emmett Stephen H. Riegger MA, NCC, LCPC
President
With over forty years in the behavioral health industry, Steve has dedicated his career life to creating and growing systems designed to enhance the quality of life for those who have acute challenges because of severe and persistent mental illnesses. He started his career working at Sheppard and Enoch Pratt Hospital, then moved to the Harford Belair Community Mental Health Center (HB) where he is currently Program Director for the Haven Psychiatric Rehabilitation Programs (HPRP). HPRP, a component program of HB, encompasses a wrap-around system of care that includes the Day Program, Residential, Health Home, and Case Management. He has been with HB for nearly thirty-eight years. He has served on the Board of Directors for Community Housing Associates.
In addition, he holds positions as Adjunct Instructor for Towson University in the Graduate School of Physician Assistants and is an Administrative/Clinical Surveyor for the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). He is a graduate of Calvert Hall College HS and earned his undergraduate and graduate degrees in Psychology from Towson University. He is a Board-Certified Clinical Counselor, Approved Clinical Supervisor, and Nationally Certified Counselor by the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC). Steve lives in the Lutherville area with his wife of over forty years, Susan. He has three children and four grandchildren. In his spare time, he enjoys travel, golf, and reading.
Cathy Mente
Treasurer
My initial career background started in residential and commercial painting. Later, as a woman-owned painting contractor, we specialized in healthcare projects at all the major hospitals. This led to an Architectural Representative position at a national paint company. I called on engineers and architects to discuss future projects and having products specified for that construction. Later, I transferred within the company to the new Home Builder Division. The mortgage/housing crisis and economic downturn in 2009 caused me to rethink my path. I decided to get my real estate license. I worked with a group managing and selling bank-owned properties until my retirement in 2018.
I live with my 95-year-old father, husband of 40 years, and our grey tuxedo cat named Missy (nicknamed HISSY because she's not very friendly). We have three grown children and three grandchildren who light up my life. I have always loved working to solve problems and plan for future activities. I am honored to be involved with this nonprofit group, Healing Well Farms, because they are so dedicated to helping people in real ways.
Kristy Leigh Ruitz, RN
I am a Registered Nurse with over 15 years of experience, much of which has been spent working within correctional healthcare. Throughout my career, I have witnessed firsthand the profound challenges faced by individuals both during incarceration and upon reentry into society. This experience has shaped not only my clinical skills, but also my perspective and passion for supporting those who are often overlooked and underserved. I bring experience in patient care, workflow development, compliance auditing, staff training, and policy implementation, along with a strong ability to organize, prioritize, and anticipate barriers in complex systems. I have extensive experience with addiction recovery, which has given me a genuine understanding of the complexity, resilience, and compassion required in the healing process. I cannot only support individuals clinically, but also meet them with empathy, validation, and respect for their lived experiences—especially those transitioning from correctional environments